For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
Parallel translations
- KJV For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
- BSB For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life,
- NKJV For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
- NASB For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And rebukes for discipline are the way of life
- NLT For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God's commandment is a lamp and His law a light, and correction is the path of life. His instruction illumines the way to live.
Overview
The father grounds his appeal in the truth that divine command and teaching give light for living, while reproof leads to life. This anticipates Psalm 119's praise of God's word as a lamp to the feet. Ultimately it points to Christ, the light of the world, in whom the law's purpose finds its fullness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Ps 119:105Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
- 2 Pet 1:19We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts:
- Ps 19:8Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.
- Prov 15:31The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.
- Prov 4:13Take firm hold of instruction. Don’t let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.
- Prov 4:4He taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.
- Jer 21:8“To this people you shall say, ‘Yahweh says: “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
- Prov 29:15The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
- Ps 141:5Let the righteous strike me, it is kindness; let him reprove me, it is like oil on the head; don’t let my head refuse it; Yet my prayer is always against evil deeds.
- Prov 15:24The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.
- Ps 119:98–100Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.
- Rev 2:5Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lamp stand out of its place, unless you repent.
- Prov 3:18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.
- Isa 8:20Turn to the law and to the testimony! If they don’t speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.
- Lev 19:17“‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.
- Prov 5:12and say, “How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 6:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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